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David Cameron has announced a UK sovereignty act after he abandoned his "cast-iron" promise of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Unveiling the Tories' new policy on Europe, following ratification of the Treaty, he said the new act would ensure British law takes precedence over EU law. "We cannot hold a referendum and magically make the Lisbon Treaty itself disappear," Mr Cameron said. But, he promised, "never again" would power be passed to the EU, without a referendum, under a Conservative government. "This is not about Westminster striking down individual items of EU legislation," the Tory leader said. "It is about an assurance that the final word on our laws is here in Britain." The Conservative leader is attempting to draw a line under the referendum issue by promising no further "erosion of British sovereignty". "We will make sure that this never, ever happens again," he said. "Never again should it be possible for a British government to transfer power to the European Union without the say of the British people in a referendum." Mr Cameron also said a Conservative government would aim to return some of the powers from the EU to Britain. The party would try to get back Britain's opt-out in some areas of EU social and employment legislation, a return of criminal justice powers, and a "complete opt-out" from the EU's charter of fundamental rights, he said. But he warned those eurosceptic MPs who have been calling for votes on a number of issues that he would not hold a "made-up referendum that would make people feel better for five minutes". "I don't think it's right to concoct a new pretext for a referendum," he added.
But his new policy, which Mr Cameron says is “settled” for the next Parliament, is coming under attack from his MEPs and party grandees. Mr Helmer said: “What we have is an essentially cosmetic policy. We are installing a largely ineffective burglar alarm when the family silver has already been stolen. "But the British people don't want vague promises. They want the family silver back in good order. “But I can neither justify nor support our new EU policy. In these circumstances, I have concluded that I can no longer continue to serve as a spokesman.”
Originally posted by x2Strongx
Looks like this is the beginning of the failure of the "New World Order"... Finally people are beginning to stand up for themselves. Will the same thing happen across the world. Only time will tell.
Originally posted by Dermo
Originally posted by x2Strongx
Looks like this is the beginning of the failure of the "New World Order"... Finally people are beginning to stand up for themselves. Will the same thing happen across the world. Only time will tell.
So I take it you don't support peaceful, prosperous trade blocks, the death of ultra nationalism and a blueprint for a prosperous, peaceful, powerful and green future for the people of the EU.
May I ask why?
Originally posted by alienesque
powerful?..why should anyone want to be powerful?..you only have power if someone else has none...your power is always at the cost of someone elses.
the eu has been built on lies for the last 60 years...anyone who expects a good system to come out of such deceit is more optimistic that i am.
Originally posted by Dermo
Originally posted by alienesque
powerful?..why should anyone want to be powerful?..you only have power if someone else has none...your power is always at the cost of someone elses.
the eu has been built on lies for the last 60 years...anyone who expects a good system to come out of such deceit is more optimistic that i am.
All member states knew what they were getting involved in when they joined.
Im not necessarily pro EU superstate but i am anti nonsense
Originally posted by Dermo
Believe me, I know more about the EU, its origins and its direction than most and I get what you are saying.
But.. the creation of a 'Core Europe' has been an open goal since the creation of the EEC. When joining any part of the EU, members are given the option to join any one or more of the Market, EURO, Schengen and several smaller agreements or join the complete EU. If members choose to partake in 'Core Europe'.. what else could they possibly be undertaking?
Also, Lisbon gives the opportunity to regain sovereignty and actually leave the union.
Any members who had signed Nice needed to sign Lisbon in order for the EU to progress. Members were given the option to look for 'opt outs' from aspects of Lisbon. States that didn't take advantage of this had only themselves to blame.
The EU constitution is slightly different than the Lisbon treaty.. Only slightly but enough for it to be completely legal.
A similar situation to the situation to the Irish voters.. we voted on a different treaty in a legal sense because we had contracts guaranteeing issues.
No great entity has ever been created through the democratic process.. Including your own country. The EU is building democracy more and more in the overall spectrum as the sovereignty of member states wains. Also, if we elect our representatives to run our nations.. and they sign agreements with the EU when representing us.. how is that undemocratic? Especially when we also vote our EU representatives.
While there is a lot that I don't agree with in regards the EU, I recognise that these kind of blocs are the future for a prosperous and more importantly, peaceful mankind. The EU pacified Europe and created a peaceful, prosperous superstate continent that actually cares about its population and surroundings. Any arguments I have against the EU are overshadowed by that simple fact... especially seeing as I have little time for nationalism.
If the world could do the same, we would be a lot better off as a species.
[edit on 5/11/09 by Dermo]
Originally posted by Dermo
reply to post by alienesque
I know what you are saying because I had that perspective until relatively recently and still do in a sense.. its the main part of the EU that I don't agree with. Its all done at a supranational level with very little say from the general populations.
Fact is though, international dealings and geopolitics almost never have anything to do with or have any input from the general population of the nations in question. I do understand that the EU is constantly diluting sovereignty and that should be left up to the populations but in their defense, everything they do is legal in relation to the constitutions of the member states.
Forced together is completely incorrect.. To be fair, the vast majority of EU citizens agree with the EU and what it has done and is doing.. its just that on sites like this, you will come across a majority who are against. Some countries are obviously more nationalist than others but still don't want out.. they know that they are better off in than out even though they might not like the future they see for nationalistic reasons.
I do get what you are saying about the future.. however, noone can predict what is going to happen. All I know is that the EU has pacified this continent, has created a massive pocket of wealth and ingenuity and is creating a democratic superstate. Democracy is the best system in order to stop war.
I appreciate your concern though
Originally posted by Dermo
reply to post by alienesque
1. Possibly
2. Yes - It is all about legality after all.
3. Yes - Not all aspects but if asked would they want to disband it.. Answer = No!!! Therefore they support it.